Most people know that dogs can be trained, but not everyone knows that catsare also able to learn various tricks and behaviours. They are intelligent,independent animals and with the right training they can follow instructions(plus, they don’t really need that much approval). Here are a few techniques andtips that can be helpful when training your new kitten. Let’s get started.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING FOR KITTENS

Remember, your kitten is young, curious and maybe even a little bit anxiousafter being separated from his mother and litter. So, the first thing you can dowhen teaching obedience is to keep training sessions short. Also, don’t try tointroduce too many commands in the beginning. Choose one command andmake sure your kitten masters it. Then only go on to the next one.

Now you want to make sure the command is not only associated with onecontext or area. You want your kitten to respond to you in various situations andplaces so practice in the kitchen, lounge, bedroom and everywhere else yourkitten is allowed. Some owners use a clicker as a training aid to get the properresponse for routines such as grooming (stand still) or occasions such astravelling (stay calm).

KITTEN TRAINING

Early training is really important if you want your kitten to understand theboundaries and learn her place in her new home as soon as possible. Bad habitscan creep in easily and are so difficult (sometimes impossible) to unlearn.Exploring the trash, strutting on counters or tearing up expensive furniture areall concerning and often maddening behaviours.

However, with the right training approach, kitten obedience is achievable andwill benefit everyone. Your kitten’s body and mind will be stimulated; social skillswill improve; your home will be in a better state; and your bond will growstronger.

To make training easier, be sure to stock up on loads of toys. Toys keep kittensoccupied, not only physically, but mentally as well. Bonus tip: sprinkle some toyswith catnip. When you notice your kitten doing something naughty, use a toy asdistraction. The toy then functions as a reward from stopping the bad behaviour.

CAT BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE COMMONWith hands-on obedience training, you can address common problems quicklyand hopefully prevent larger issues in the future. If you’re a cat owner you’ll befamiliar with some, if not all, of these.• Furniture scratching• Avoiding the litter box• Spraying and urinating• Stress and fear or anxiety• Aggression towards people or other animals• Compulsive behaviors e.g. over-grooming, excessively scratching or biting

THE HOW-TO OF CAT TRAINING

A few lucky cat owners have eager learners. The rest might be stuck with cutefurballs skilled at sweetly ignoring them. Cats have unique personalities, so theonly thing you should rely on is your patience and persistence. Also don’tcompare your kitten to (your) other cats. Plus, remember to keep daily sessionsshort, but frequent. It helps if you set aside specific times every day to practice(for example, before feeding and playtime).

Remember: cats don’t respond well to punishment. Usually they’ll hide or runaway from you. This can lead to stress and possibly behavioural or healthproblems in the long run. A system that relies on reward to encourage goodbehaviour, for example praise or a treat, is likely to get better results. Keepteaching your kitten that good behaviour equals reward.

ADDRESSING BAD BEHAVIOUR

Changes in a cat’s environment, medical conditions or other interferences couldall lead to stress and cause a cat to act out. It could also be that your cat simplydoesn’t know what’s wrong and right. Because the reason is usually unclear, it’sbetter to redirect unwanted behaviour (in the right way) rather than punish her,which won’t be effective anyway. The last thing you want is for your cat to feelthreatened by you, fueling the circle of stress and weakening the bond youshare.

One good way to deal with issues is creating an association between somethingunpleasant and bad behaviours. Some scents and smells, for example perfumeand citrus, put cats off. Try placing cotton balls, soaked in a scent your catdislikes, around spots that are off limits. Good behaviour should not go withoutpraise and reward. Just because your cat won’t necessarily respond to approvaldoesn’t mean it’s not appreciated.

*Any and all content on PetlifeSA’s website, social media and other platforms are for educational purposes only and should not be viewed or used as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If your pet is experiencing any health issues, please consult a veterinarian professional immediately. Read More